Chapter six

Clover felt numb as stood watching the many guards and servants packing up, readying to go on the road again. The lump in her throat growing with a sour taste. 

“Clover? Clover?” she dimly twisted her neck up to see Cyrus, his brows drawn down in worry, “come, let us get you into the carriage,” he placed one of the back of his hands on her forehead, “you do not have a fever. Sweetheart, are you sure you are alright?” 

 Clover nodded with a worn down smile, “i’m fine, really, i-i just-” 

Cyrus gazed with sadness, he turned away from her, his jaw clenched as his fists balled at his side, “i should not have left you alone,” 

Clover shook her head, her hands resting on his right arm, “i shouldn’t have wandered off,” she spoke in a quiet voice. He didn’t know she reminded herself, trying to act normal, he thought he was saving me. The contrast of his protectiveness over her and the image of him pulling head off that sprite. She held back the bile in her throat at the thought. 

In the corner of her eyes she saw her brother and sister watching her own interaction with Cyrus. 

“I-if it’s alright,” Clover stuttered, “could i travel in my siblings carriage.” 

“Of course,” Cyrus spoke, taking her hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze. “You need not ask my permission. I only want you to be happy,” he smiled. His smile made her wish she could cry. 

“Thank you,” she whispered pulling her hands from his, 

“We should come by a town soon enough,” he took one of her hands again, placing a soft kiss, letting her go with relcuntasnce. 

Clover made her way to Basil and Aster. Her sister raised her brow at her approach. “Trouble in paradise?” Her words were meant as a joke, but as soon as Clover let out a quiet sob, she regretted her words. Basil and Aster ushered her into their carriage, making sure no one saw how upset their sister was. 

“It was awful,” she sobbed into her hands. 

“What was?” Basil asked gently, rubbing her back, 

“Don’t tell me things aren't going as good as you hoped,” Aster spoke with uncertainty. 

“He’ll hate me,” she cried, 

“Hate you?” Aster and basil echoed at once. 

“He hates magic,” she spoke between shuddering breaths, “oh goddess, he believes magic is evil and dark and-and-” she broke down again into tears, 

“What had he said?” Aster demanded, 

“We were talking about what he liked to do, and-and then he began to rant about science was better than magic and horrible it is and that he’d kill any sorcerer that stepped foot into his kingdom,”

“Oh, Clove,” Basil sighed, it was sooner than either her siblings had thought it would happen but sure enough sooner or later she would see just how the world saw ;people like them. 

“I ignored you, i didn’t believe that he would-would-oh but you were right, he’d regret me if he knew, but-but-i’m horrible for lying to him.” 

“No,” Aster spoke firmly, “we always knew that it would always be something we needed to hide. I’m sorry Clover, but it is how it has to be.” 

“But he’s my soulmate, I already feel the connection,” she sniffled, “why, he is so perfect yet-yet-had i done something wrong?” Clover sobbed, 

“No, Clove, you didn’t,” Basil soothed. He turned away from Clover to share a look with Aster. 

“Maybe you need some distance from him.” 

“Distance?” 

“It’s for the best,” Basil added, “so you can calm down, it won’t do good for you to be so upset and not able to tell him why.” 

Clover nodded, “o-okay,” 

She kept the fact of him killing the sprite to herself, they would try to separate her from him if they knew. Maybe they should, but her feelings for Cyrus unwavered. Space would be good, dshe was sure of it…

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They arrived at the town near dusk, Clover long forgetting her upset, gazing out the window with wonder. “Can you believe it, look there's a fountain!” she pointed out to her siblings, 

“There was a fountain in the city,” Aster grumbled. 

“That’s different,” Clover brushed off, the carriage came to a stop, they all looked out to the inn side hanging overhead. 

Aster stretched her arms, “I think I'm going to sleep for eternity,” she muttered. They climbed out, finding Cyrus walking towards them. 

“We will be staying the night, if that is alright?” he told the three with a lighthearted smile, trying to catch a glimpse of Clover who hid between her two tall siblings, shielding her from his sight. “My servant is acquiring our rooms now,” 

“Clover and i will share,” Aster spoke up, “we’re both weary after the trip,” 

“Yes, of course. Most of the men are staying down in the inn's tavern to sup, but I'll have two guards stay at your doors.” 

“To sup? We won’t be doing that in our rooms?” Basil asked,

“We’ll take our dinner down in the tavern then,” Aster announced, grabbing onto Clover's arm pulling her along as the three travelled into the inn, turning to where the tavern was held. Cyrus stared after them, he did not like the thought of them taking their supper down with the rest of the inn, or beginning to surround the dunkards that will surely be there. He sighed, knowing he’ll have to eat down with his guards that night instead in his room. 

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